16 August 2005

The Oversight Committee

Traditionally, foreign-born coaches without any U.S. professional coaching experience have not fared well in the league. Several teams learned the hard way in 1996, when former Ireland international Frank Stapleton (15-17, fifth and last place in the Eastern Conference and out of the playoffs with New England) and England's Bobby Houghton (11-20, five and last place in the Western Conference and out of the playoffs with Colorado).

Other foreign coaches in the league included England-born Ron Newman (Kansas City) Scottish native Steve Nicol (New England) and Canadian Frank Yallop (San Jose) are not included in this group because they had coached in the United States for years before their MLS posts, or in Yallop's case, had played in the league and was familiar with the unique rules and players.

One could suggest a name that offers contrary evidence, assuming that MLS playing experience is not the same as US coaching experience.